RESEARCH WORK

Hokitika Guardian, 23 November 1929, Page 3

RESEARCH WORK

DEPARTMENT’S ACTIVITIES

REPORT TO MINISTER. The Hon. Mr Atmore, Minister for Sole mine and Industrial Tesearch, has been supplied with a full report by Mr G. Shirteiiiie, chairman of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research dealing with the progress of research activities during the past three months The section of the report dealing with noxious weeds research is concern ed chiefly with the gorse parasite, Apion ulieis. In order to meet the peculiarly difficult characteristics of this insect as regards it sacclimatisation to the Dominion, a temporary lieli station was established at Flagstaff Hill, Dunedin. The progeny of tiie consignment reared in Dunedin have been trail sported to Nelson, and are thriving in the insectary there. It is significant, however, of the extraordinary difficulsect as regards its acclimatisation to this species, that, out of the thousands imported in eleven different consignments, less than one hundred have survived up to the present. The mortality in transit is always very high, and to reduce this, it is proposed to arrange for future importation to lie made on living gorse plants. 1

Similar difficulties have attended the work on the acclimatisation of the blackberry insect, Cornelius rubi. These •are imported 'in infested blackberry and rose stocks, and although about 20 per cent, of the beetles emerge, their mortality rate in the specially heati-J ui.->ecLanes is high. However, some of the insects have attacked blackberries and tin; results of this infestation should become apparent in November or Oecemiier.

ihe survey of the ragwort areas where 'iyria jacobaeae had been released late last summer was disappointing ; out already the emergence .of Tyrla nas been reported from one area this spring. Arrangements are now completed for an extensive release of large numbers of the cinnabar moth in ragwort areas during the coming summer.

“Ob’ SUPREME IMPORTANCE.” Steady progress with" the 'investigation of the mineral content of pastures is being made in both the Auckland and Nelson areas. As yet, complete elucidation of the problem is not in sight, though the use of a o-2 lime super top-dressing apparently is proving an effective remedial measure in the King Country. The nature of the problem has necessitated its being given further attention, and in consequence it lias been arranged: (1) To station two officers of tbe Geological Survey in : tlie Te Kuiti district for tbe purpose of making a geological and soil survey of the area, it already having been ascertained that marked differences occur in the health-maintaining property of pasture according to the influence of various volcanic "showers, of -which seven harm bee,n traced; (2) to. make blood and other physiological -tests of animals grazing on affected pastures; and (3) to undertake a survey of the l.ydrogen-ion value (or acidity) and lime requirements of the deficient areas. At the same time, soil and pasture analysis will be. pushed ahead by Mr Anton and bis assistants, and further animal-feeding trials will be inaugurated on a more comprehensive scale. The aim of the work is tlr> working out of methods of treatment of affected areas, and the forecasting of any likely trouble on undeveloped land.

“In view of the Dominion’s dependence upon animal products,” says the chairman, “I feel that T am justified in directing the council’s attention to the supreme importance of devoting much attention and research towards all matters connected with animal nutrition and disease. The farm production of New Zealand suffers from marked limitations on account olf imperfections in'diet and the incidenc e of disease.”

Cold storage problems are being investigated with the help of the English scientists now in the Dominion. It is anticipated that the investigation will help in the elucidation of the loss occasioned through lack of “bloom,” which lack at times detracts from the value of New Zealand meat when sold overseas.

Experiments dealing with the behaviour of cheese in transport and storage have been commenced, a consignment of cheese specially prepared at the Dairy Institute having been shipped, accompanied by thermographs, to the British Dairy Research Institute at Reading. Tfifs investigation is designed mainly to provide information relative to the bacteria concerned in maturing of cheese and open-texture delect Ifrom which New Zealand cheese apparently suffers.

EXTENSIVE WHEAT TRIALS. Consistent progress lias been made in the matter of wheat research, and over 3000 separate field trials of wheat are under way at Lincoln College. The seed certification scheme arranged between the institute and the Department of Agriculture is also helping to provide farmers' with better quality seed, and, ultimately, the result will be reflected- in the quality of the flour and ■bread produced. Tt is gratifying to note confidence plac 'd in the work of the institute by the frequent reference to it of many

problems connected with 1 wheat, flour, Mild bakin';, and it is now realised to lie idlin'; a most important part in connexion with those industries for whose assistance it was originally intended.

Wool research is making considerable headway at the .Massey and Lincoln Colleges. In order to ascertain the precise use to which New Zealand

wool is being put, special enquiries are now being made in the United Kingdom. This is ii most necessary step in order that the local woolgrowers may be guided in the particular nature of the wool required by overseas buyers.

WIDE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES. Satisfactory progress is also reported in the matter of dairy research and of plant research. In the former a most useful investigation has been completed upon the losses of fat occurring in butter-milk. A new simple method of determining moisture in butter and cheese is under development. The briquetting of Waikato coals is the subject of a separate bulletin about to be issued and work of a similar nature with other coals is being carried on.

The negotiations 'for the establish ment of a Forest Biological Research Station have now been finalised, and a beginning has been made with the erection of the necessary accommodation by the Cawthrori Trust Board. The station will be under the direction of Dr David Miller, and at first will deal mainly with the entomological problems of the forest; later, it is hoped, its activities will be extended to cover the whole biological range. The station will be under the general direction of a Forest Biological Research Committee, representative of all contributing and participating interests. In view of the importance of taking prompt action to ensure the protection of the considerable forest resources from the menace oif insect and fungal attack, the establishment of this station marks a distinct advance.